Earl B. Harris

02/12/1918 - 01/16/2011

HARRIS,
Earl B.
Major (USAF Ret.)
(Age 92)

Born February 12, 1918, in Tokio, ND to Ben and Edith Harris. Earl passed away peacefully on January 16, 2011 in Spokane, WA with his loving wife of 70 years, Dorothy Garner Harris holding his hand. Earl was raised in Devils Lake, ND. He graduated the Army Air Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant and pilot in 1943. He served as a B-17 pilot in England with the 8th AF 388th Bomb Group. For his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. He was recalled to Active Duty during the Korean War and assigned to Fairchild AFB as a pilot of the B-36. He subsequently flew the B-52 until he retired as Senior Pilot in 1959. A two-career man, Earl retired as Sales Manager with Union Oil Company in 1980.
Earl is survived by his wife, Dorothy and daughter, Janna Harvey (Mike, son-in-law) and brother Lloyd Harris. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Ellen Roxanne Linville, sister, Darryl Schwab and brother, Claude Harris. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Janna Lynch, Timothy Harvey and wife Christie, Randall Harvey and wife Joanne, and Monica Lewallen and husband Tim and nine great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
Earl had a firm handshake, could ride a horse, fly a bomber and be your friend for life. He loved small dogs, plaid shirts and Louis Lamour and Michener novels. He and Dorothy loved to travel the lower 48 states together with their Air Stream travel club, serving as it's President for a season. He shared his love of boating and fishing with friends and family at Lake Pend Oreille. He adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, forming unique bonds with each. Earl and Dorothy lived happily together at the Good Samaritan Village Retirement Community for the past seven years, where he was proud to serve as Community President in 2010.
We will miss his hats, his strong slap on the back and the unique way he said the word, "Beautiful."
A Celebration of life will be observed Saturday, January 22, 2011, at the Community Center of Good Samaritan Village at 2 pm.